Where to get the shot
Hanmer Forest Park covers some 5,000 hectares to the north and east of Hanmer Springs township and is easily reached via a short walk. A good place to start is the Woodland Reserve, approximately 1 km to the east of the town along Jollies Pass Road.
Setting up the shot
Set the camera down low with a wide-angle lens to create perspective and accentuate the impression that the trees are climbing to a common point in the sky.
‘Sun-stars’ are caused by light diffraction and are best achieved by stopping down your lense to at or near its maximum aperture (in this example, f22). The exact effect you'll achieve is highly dependent on the make-up of your lense, in particular the number of aperture blades and their shape. Experimentation is the key to getting good results.
The technical stuff
NPK_0496 1/15 sec at f/22, ISO200
The Waiau Ferry Bridge
The iconic entrance to Hanmer Springs. The historic Waiau Ferry Bridge opened in 1887 and is a popular shot for the avid photographer.